GEORGE TOWN: The Penang education authorities have ordered 51 schools in its southwest (Balik Pulau) district to close today after the Air Pollutant Index (API) hit unhealthy levels of 240 as of 7am.
Airport, train and port authorities have also upgraded their surveillance after poor visibility was detected throughout the state.
State environment committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said that the public should refrain from too much outdoor activities and to don face masks when heading into unhealthy air areas.
He confirmed that 51 schools in Balik Pulau were ordered closed for now.
The blame falls squarely on forest clearing in the neighbouring Indonesian island of Sumatera which ignited the shroud of haze across the state, he said.
There is optimism in Penang though as a meteorological report predicted rainfall in the afternoon.
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